The Best Quartz Watches for Everyone

Many consider even the best quartz watches available in the market to have “less soul for craftsmanship”. Its association with mass production and the lack of intricate mechanical parts in quartz watches are considered not exciting enough to enjoy or appreciate. Meanwhile, there are several reasons that make quartz watches superior to their counterparts. 

Additionally, it’s also worth noting that many mechanical watches also incorporate mass-produced movements supplied by third-party manufacturers. Therefore, this might be a good time to stop pointing out this matter against quartz watches. So, are quartz watches good?

The thing is quartz watches carry values that for groups of people are worth buying, such as quality and accuracy. Collecting watches isn’t only about skyrocketing-price timepieces but also how that timepiece gives meaning to the wearer. 

In this article, we’re going to look at some of the best quartz watches you can find in Gnomon Watches. We’ll also discuss how quartz watches work and what makes quartz watches earn a prominent place in the world of horology.

So, if you’re looking for a durable watch that requires no fretting, offers affordability, and aligns with your aesthetic preferences, your search ends here.

Are Quartz Watches Good?

Quartz watches are favored for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, their exceptional precision sets them apart, as they typically only deviate by a few seconds per month, ensuring accurate timekeeping, a critical factor for many individuals. 

Secondly, their affordability makes them an accessible choice for a wide range of consumers, providing excellent value for money.

Additionally, quartz watches demand minimal maintenance compared to their mechanical counterparts, as they rely on batteries that last several years before requiring replacement. Their robustness is another advantage, as quartz movements can withstand shocks and vibrations, making them suitable for various activities and environments. 

Lastly, their long-lasting battery life adds to their appeal, ensuring hassle-free ownership and reliable timekeeping over extended periods. These qualities collectively make quartz watches an attractive and practical choice for both watch enthusiasts and everyday wearers.

Read also: Quartz vs Automatic Watches: Comparing the Key Movements

Quality Quartz Watches to Own 

We’ve compiled a list of the best quartz watches at the most prices. The watches below are mostly priced under $1000 which would be a great option for your first buy. Let’s dive in!

Marathon MSAR NGM Diver Quartz Arctic Edition – Rubber Ref. WW194027-WD

A robust quartz watch that would look great on people with small wrists. The Marathon MSAR NGM Diver Quartz Arctic Edition comes in a small diameter of 36mm and 14mm thick, resulting in a comfortable fit for women. This Marathon robust edition is a great choice for women looking for an appealing quartz watch with robust construction. 

At its core is the classic Swiss ETA Quartz movement, known for its precise high torque operation and equipped with a battery life indicator to signal when the battery needs replacement.

Price: $720.00 USD

Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz Chronograph Blue – Leather

The next best quartz watch under $1000 that should be under your radar is the Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz Chronograph. This is a sports watch encased with a vintage charm. The standout feature of this watch is its vintage-inspired white dial adorned with two racing blue sub-dials.

The dial features two counters, for 60 minutes and an additional 24-hour reading. Powering the watch is a Meca-quartz movement that seals a tasteful tribute to the 60s era in an package.

Price: $332.00 USD

Hamilton American Classic Boulton Quartz Ref. H13431553

Now we’re moving to a vintage and classic-looking timepiece. The Hamilton American Classic Boulton Quartz comes with a rectangular dial featuring a small sub-dial at the bottom. 

Designed as a dress watch with vintage charm, this quartz watch is a perfect pair for everyday wear. The watch also boasts a complete PVD yellow gold coating on its 316L stainless steel build, presenting a vintage yet elegant look.

Price: $707.00 USD

Seiko Dolce Steel Ref. SACM171

Speaking of the best quartz watches, the name Seiko is the one that you should have. Coming with a revolutionary quartz technology, Seiko has changed how we see a timepiece. For the best quartz watch under $1000, let us present the Seiko Dolce Steel Ref. SACM171, a dress watch with pure minimalism on the dial.

Within this Seiko quartz watch, you’ll find the Seiko Cal. 8J41 quartz movement is renowned for its remarkable precision of +/-10 seconds annually and an impressive battery lifespan of 3 years. This quartz movement plays a pivotal role in enabling Seiko to achieve such a slim case design.

Price: $357.00 USD

Read also: Seiko Solar Watches: A Brief Talk on Mechanism and Collection

Marathon GPQ NGM Sage Green Quartz Ref. WW194004-SG-NGM

Looking for another reference for a robust-looking quartz watch? Let us present another Marathon collection here. The GPQ NGM Sage Green Quartz is ready to accompany your harsh and tough adventure in the wild with much ease. Designed with military specifications, the watch boasts durability.

Other than being extremely robust, the watch also highlights accuracy thanks to its Swiss-made ETA Caliber F06 high-torque 3 jewel quartz movement. In contrast to the ordinary quartz mechanisms, the ETA Cal. F06 stands out with its predominantly metallic components, enhancing its overall robustness and durability.

Price: $270.00 USD

How Do Quartz Watches Work?

Quartz watches work through a series of precisely coordinated steps. At the core of these timepieces is a small synthetic quartz crystal that serves as a natural oscillator. When an electrical current is applied to the quartz crystal, it vibrates at an incredibly stable and consistent frequency, typically around 32,768 times per second (Hertz). 

That consistent vibration is the foundation of the watch’s accuracy. The next step of how quartz watches work involves dividing this high-frequency oscillation into more manageable units using an electronic circuit. This division results in regular, precise electrical pulses that occur once per second, establishing the basic unit of timekeeping for the watch. 

Those electrical pulses then power a small stepping motor, which acts as the engine of the watch, driving the gears and hands. The motor advances the hands of the watch in one-second increments, thus displaying the correct time. 

To provide the necessary energy for this process, quartz watches rely on a small battery, usually a silver oxide or lithium battery, which supplies the electrical power needed to create the vibrations in the quartz crystal and drive the watch’s movement. 

Finally, for accurate timekeeping, users can adjust the time through a crown or push-button, synchronizing the watch’s hands with the pulses generated by the quartz crystal oscillator. 

This precise and continuous division of time ensures that quartz watches maintain exceptional accuracy, often losing or gaining only a few seconds per month, and require minimal maintenance.

Final Thought

Quartz watches offer a blend of precision, reliability, and affordability that has made them a staple in the world of horology. Whether you’re looking for a dress watch, a sports watch, a dive watch, or a pilot watch, there’s a quartz timepiece to suit your style and needs. 

\With minimal maintenance requirements and exceptional accuracy, quartz watches continue to be a timeless choice for watch enthusiasts and everyday wearers alike.

Read also: 5 Best Citizen Eco-Drive Watches: Stylish and Eco-Friendly